Consider Giving Your Loose Cannon Character a Minder

We've all had those character concepts that are just a little too extra for the games we want to play them in. Whether it's the bloodrunk barbarian, the scheming assassin, the chaotic sorcerer with a penchant for burning down villages, or the druid who would lead an animal uprising against a city rather than actually trying to solve the plot, as players we really want to put these characters on the table. We just can't ignore the fact that they would often be more of a detriment than they would be a benefit.

Often, though, you can make these square peg characters fit into a round hole game by turning them into one half of a double act. All you need is to find someone to fill the role of your minder.

Loose Cannons, Minders, and Leashes

Generally speaking, this paired concept can be thought of as an attack dog, and the person who holds their leash. This might be someone like Tywin Lannister and Gregor Clegane (whom I wrote a character conversion guide for a while back), where the only thing that stops the Mountain from doing whatever he feels like at all times is that his liege lord expects obedience in exchange for protection. Alternatively, you might have a character like the older incarnations of the Incredible Hulk, who could be calmed by the presence of Betty Ross. And even lone wolves and antagonists like Dr. Doom or Namor might agree to come to the table if Sue Storm is the one who asked them to.

All of these examples have 3 components; the loose cannon, the minder, and the leash.

The loose canon, in this case, is the character we have that we know will be a problem. Whether it's because they're an evil character in a heroic party, their modus operandi tends toward utter chaos, or they would simply have no reason to help the rest of the party achieve a particular goal, there's something about them that requires management. The minder, in this case, is someone who has the ability to rein in (or at least direct) the loose cannon. The most interesting piece of this puzzle, though, is what form the leash takes, and why they have the ability to tug on it.

In some cases the leash might be a near-literal example, such as one character being given a command word over another as in the series Inuyasha. The loose cannon might have a cursed item that gives another person the ability to direct their behavior, or they may have a geas on them. Or in a slightly less literal sense one character might be on parole, or seconded to the adventure, creating a kind of Suicide Squad setup where the minder is literally someone who has authority to report on the loose cannon's behavior, and whether or not they were helpful in this endeavor.

This is probably the most common version of this relationship I've seen, to the point that it shows up in the introduction I wrote for 100 Character Goals and Motivations (dramatized below).

That said, just because it's the most common version of this paired character concept, that doesn't mean it's the only way you can do it!

As mentioned above, sometimes the loose cannon might be reined in, or tugged into plot, by someone who doesn't actually hold power over them. It might be a love interest (current or former), a family member, a mentor, a fellow member of a guild, fraternity, sorority, or secret society... anyone, really. In these cases the leash is a more ephemeral concept. The loose cannon might get involved in the adventure (or at least moderate their behavior) because they want to earn the respect of their minder. Maybe they want to try to rekindle an old love, to pay back a debt, or simply to fulfill a promise they made. In some cases the loose cannon might even be trying to change their old ways, such as an enforcer from an evil cult trying to walk the path of righteousness, and following the lead of the party cleric to help them reform themselves.

You Don't Need Another Player (Technically)

You don't need a second player to make this character concept work, technically speaking. The minder can be played by your GM, or the character can be attached to an organization rather than an individual, making their minder a little less concrete, but no less powerful.

However, in my opinion, the best way to play this concept is with another player holding the leash.

Generally speaking, anything that expands your personal story, and brings in other players, their characters, and their input is better for the game on the whole. Additionally, the more intertwined your stories become, the more everyone gets to participate, and the less it will feel like plot points or RP are just being targeted at you as a stand-alone player. Additionally, if your loose cannon starts growing and changing as a person, then there are other characters in the party (and players at the table) who get to participate in that process, which will make it more personal for everyone.

Lastly, if you're looking for some inspiration on organizations your loose cannon might share with their minder (or at least that they may have once shared), then consider checking out the following supplements:

- 100 Knightly Orders: Pledges and loyalty dig deep, especially for those who once raised their banners for a deeply-cherished cause. Even if one has left the order, the order never quite leaves them. A fresh, science fiction supplement just dropped for this category as well, if 100 Knightly Orders For a Sci Fi Setting is more your speed.

- 100 Mercenary Companies: Sellswords shed blood together, and that can go deep even years after they stop serving together. There's even a science fiction edition, 100 Sci Fi Mercenary Companies, as well!

- 100 Fantasy Guilds: Whatever your trade, guilds are forged in secrets and knowledge. Those oaths can cling to you, and in many cases cause you to do things you wouldn't otherwise consider. As with the previous example, there's also 100 Sci Fi Guilds, if that's more your game's speed.

- 100 Secret Societies: Those who work in the shadows to achieve their own ends will go to extreme lengths to protect their interests... and the debts they incur may take a lifetime to truly pay back.

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